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Recently, American apparel giant VF Corporation (VF Group, hereinafter referred to as "VF"), the parent company of The North Face, Vans, Timberland, Supreme, and other outdoor and trendy brands, released its full annual report for fiscal year 2023 as of the end of March 2023. It disclosed for the first time the financial data of Supreme, a well-known New York fashion brand acquired in 2020, and detailed the impairment of its assets. In the 2022 and 2023 fiscal years, Supreme's revenue will be US$561.5 million and US$523.1 million, and its net profit will be US$82.4 million and US$64.8 million, respectively. Based on this calculation, the net profit margins will be 14.7% and 12.4%, respectively. Between December 28, 2020, and April 3, 2021, Supreme's revenue and net profit were 142 million and 21.5 million US dollars, respectively. Based on this calculation, after the acquisition, Supreme’s cumulative revenue was US$1.2266 billion and its net profit was US$168.7 million. However, Supreme's revenue level is lower than the group's previous expectation of reaching US$600 million in fiscal year 2022. Currently, Supreme is available in many countries and regions around the world through 15 flagship stores, selected retailers, and its own website, www.supremewyork.com. It is worth mentioning that in September 2022, VF Group shared some important operating data about Supreme at the investor day: As of the end of March 2022, there were a total of 14 flagship stores, including 4, 4, and 6 stores in the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. At that time, the six stores in the Asia-Pacific region were all located in Japan. Online businesses contribute more than 70% of revenue. North America contributed more than 60% of revenue. 40 sales events per year. Clothing products accounted for 70%. In November 2020, VF Group announced the acquisition of New York street fashion brand Supreme for US$2.1 billion. Brand founder James Jebbia and the original executive team will remain with the company. After the acquisition, Supreme was divided into the leisure sports (active) section. This department also has brands such as Kipling, Napapijri, Eastpak, and JanSport. In fiscal year 2023, it achieved revenue of US$4.9046 billion, a decrease of 33.2% from US$5.3803 billion in fiscal year 2022. In February 2022, Supreme announced the appointment of American creative pioneer Tremaine Emory as its new creative director. He is from Los Angeles, is the founder and designer of the high-end denim brand Denim Tears, and co-founded the trendy brand No Vacancy Inn with DJ Acycle. At the analyst meeting, Matt Puckett, chief financial officer of VF Group, revealed that although Supreme sales declined in fiscal year 2023, they achieved continuous improvement in the second half of the fiscal year, with strong growth in the Japanese market and continued good performance in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. China accelerated its recovery momentum in the third quarter and returned to positive growth in the fourth quarter. Among them, the mainland China market that has just entered was specifically mentioned, saying that it "performed well." In November 2022, Supreme will be officially launched in mainland China, and the partner is the buyer store Dover Street Market. Matt Puckett once again emphasized the three strategic pillars behind Supreme: increase brand awareness; expand new categories, especially footwear; and expand new markets, especially the Asian market, by opening flagship stores. In February 2023, Supreme moved its store in Fairfax, the heart of Los Angeles street fashion, to West Hollywood and officially opened it with an area of 8,500 square feet. In the full annual report, VF also mentioned two "potential risks" related to Supreme: the impairment of its assets and its distinctive business model. VF Group explained the impairment of Supreme assets: Due to higher interest rates and foreign exchange fluctuations, as well as adjustments to financial forecasts, the company tested Supreme's trademark and goodwill values during the second quarter and the fourth quarter, of which the trademark in the second quarter In the fourth quarter, trademark and goodwill impairment charges were 148 million and 165.1 million U.S. dollars, respectively. Based on this calculation, the Supreme asset impairment in fiscal year 2023 is 735 million US dollars. Affected by this, VF Group's earnings per share will fall from $3.10 in fiscal year 2022 to $0.31 in fiscal year 2023. On the other hand, the group also stated that Supreme has adopted a completely different business model from other brands under the group, focusing on direct-facing consumers through frequent and weekly releases of limited products. "Honestly, we still think Supreme is a successful acquisition, and we expect growth in fiscal 2024," added Matt Puckett.

French luxury brand Hermès announced that following the opening of a new factory in Louviers this spring, the company is expanding its handbag and glove factory in Saint Junien, France, and relocating the original workshop to a building with an area of more than 50,600 square feet in the new building, so as to continuously increase production capacity and meet customer demand for brand products. The new building was originally a disused wool workshop (below), which was transformed by Bruhat & Bouchaudy Architects. The company developed a design plan based on the actual situation and historical background of the factory and paid special attention to protecting the man-made heritage and natural environment where the factory is located. Among them, the building materials for the construction of the new factory come partly from the original stone walls, stone from other old local buildings, and granite stone from a nearby quarry. It is reported that the new factory will employ about 250 craftsmen, of whom 210 are leather craftsmen and the remaining 40 are glove craftsmen. The factory will mainly produce Hermès' famous Birkin handbags, Kelly Danse handbags, and small leather goods, including the Bearn and To Go collections. Since 2010, Hermès has opened 11 new factories in France, employing more than 4,700 craftsmen. Among them, factories in Riom, Isle Espagnac, Loupes, and Charleville-Mézières are under construction. The new factory announced this time is Hermès' third production base in southwestern France. According to the latest financial report of Hermès, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, brand sales increased by 23% at constant exchange rates. At the same time, this quarter, Hermes also opened new stores in Naples, Florida, and Nanjing, China. In April this year, Hermes established a new factory in Louviers, in northwest France, covering an area of about 66,700 square feet, which mainly produces the famous Kelly handbag and some harnesses. In May, a 61,400-square-foot factory with 260 artisans opened in Tournes-Cliron, near the Belgian border.

NEW YORK, June 9: Cotton futures on the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) fluctuated around flat on Friday. The US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) monthly supply and demand report had little impact, and both production and exports are expected to increase. ICE's front-month July cotton futures contract fell 0.27 cents, or 0.32%, to settle at 84.04 cents per pound. The most active December cotton futures contract rose 0.19 cents, or 0.23%, to settle at 81.82 cents a pound. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's June supply and demand report released on Friday showed that compared with the previous month, U.S. cotton beginning stocks for the 2023–24 season decreased, but production, exports, and ending stocks all increased. The report was modest, as it pointed to higher production and higher exports. Interestingly, the USDA raised its production estimates for India and Brazil. Data on export sales also showed an increase in Chinese imports. The export sales report released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday showed that in the week ended June 1, U.S. cotton export sales in 2022–23 increased by a net of 480,400 bales, a market-year high, an increase of 79% from the previous week, and an increase of 79% from the previous four-week average, which is a significant increase. The USDA's monthly supply and demand report also raised its global trade forecast for 2023–24 by 900,000 bales on higher U.S. exports and Chinese imports. Projected spoilage in the Southwest has been reduced due to recent favorable rains, raising production from 1 million bales to 16.5 million bales. " On the weather front, the U.S. government forecaster confirmed on Thursday that an El Nio phenomenon is in place. "For the U.S., this will bring above-average rainfall over the growing season. Despite this, much of the region remains dry," Rose Commodity Group said in a report. Spot goods: On the 9th, the CotlookA index was 94.15 cents per lb, down 70 points. On the 9th, the imported cotton price index FCS grade was 97.26 cents/lb, down 70 points; FCM grade was 95.36 cents/lb, down 71 points; and FCL grade was 94.36 cents/lb, down 70 points.

MICAM Milano, Italy's Milan International Shoe Fair and the innovation platform Livetrend recently released the "2024 Spring/Summer Footwear Trends" report. This collection of reports is MICAM's first data-driven footwear trend and buyer's guide for major global trade shows, and it is also an exclusive service of MICAM. The reason why this report is launched is to allow buyers to obtain a more reliable guide to seasonal trends in order to better optimize product purchases. MICAM pointed out that after analyzing millions of images and information from Instagram, e-commerce, fashion shows and consumer interests, the report analyzed and summarized the overall concept, color and must-have products (women's shoes, men's shoes, children's shoes), etc. The next MICAM Milano will be held from September 17th to 20th this year. The four major trends of the 2024 Spring/Summer collection listed in the report are: "Ancestral Refuge, Virtual Eden, Sleek Subversion, and Bio Hacker", as follows: Trend 1: Ancestral Refuge Style keywords: Antique, Raw, Spiritual, Indulgence Spiritual Indulgence. In the Spring/Summer 2024 collection, consumers' needs for deeper meaning and stronger spiritual connection have been further explored. By delving into the rich repertoire of antiquity, this trend draws inspiration from ancient faith cults such as Greek mythology. In a mixture of humility and indulgence, keep your feet on the ground and look to the horizon to find new paths. Combining this penchant for high energy and divine realms results in an aesthetic that combines ethereal purity, natural warmth and refined craftsmanship. When it comes to shoes, this raw inspiration translates into handcrafted features that give it a rough and ancient quality. At the same time, soft and luxurious attributes enhance the trend’s sophistication and fragility. In terms of design details, this trend matches rusticity with sophistication, interpreted in straw, fringed lace, wood, suede, netting and amulet-like jewelry. Trend 2: Virtual Eden Style keywords: Artificial, Virtual, Fantasy, Fun Immersive Creativity. For the Spring/Summer 2024 collection, the real and virtual worlds are increasingly intertwined. In the new phygital realm, the boundaries of our creativity are broken down, forming a new aesthetic language. This new world presents unknown species, structures, plants and wondrous objects of dreams in exaggerated shoe designs. As can be seen through the marshmallow filter, this dreamscape belies the daunting hardships of reality, offering hope and excitement for generations to come. In the design, the enhanced color palette forms a digital bubblegum palette. New organic shapes, highly sensual textures further enrich the new product with the help of image transformation, profile, reflection and 3D printing. From foamy, glossy and jelly textures to artificial details or synthetic sequins, new offerings in this trend appear to be projected into the real world through VR filters. Trend 3: Sleek Subversion Style keywords: ODD, Modernism, Sharp, Villain Allure of the Odd. The Spring/Summer 2024 collection embodies the need to explore the weird and the scary to discover unique beauty. The concept is not to romanticize the bright side of life, but to discreetly dive into the world of villains, antiheroes and outcasts. Almost ironically, this trend has since made the boundaries of perfection and imperfection more consistent. For design, a subversive stylistic language is translating the polarizing game of unity and prominence into a new eccentric minimalism. This unexpected aesthetic enriches the product with sharper, more contrasting silhouettes for a stylish and rebellious impact. Materials with strong optical color contrasts highlight the dark and light sides of life, from staggered distributions to gradients, or duality through smooth latex and dyed leather coatings. For details, stylized luxury is achieved with experimental studs, metal hardware and ironic heels. Trend 4: Bio Hacker Style keywords: Regenerative, Lab-Grown, Survivor, Wildness Future Wildness. This theme aims to respond to the increasingly severe climate change and severe resource shortages in the world in a proactive manner. As more extreme weather patterns emerge, the concept proposes an "army of eco-soldiers" trying to protect the beauty of the planet and find refuge from its power. In the quest for regeneration, survival of the fittest and sustainability interests merge to create a futuristic greenhouse. A hybrid aesthetic is infused into footwear programs after an up-close study of flora, fauna and technology. The color palette likewise blends nature's greens with enhanced shades of mint and lime. In design, raw recycled meets fluid engineered structures, or the jaw-dropping scuba material. In terms of details, functional elements such as rainproof and waterproof outsole with stronger grip appear in the form of fashion accessories.

On June 7, Zara's parent company, the Spanish fast fashion giant Inditex Group, announced key financial data for the first quarter of the 2023 fiscal year ending April 30: the 2023 Spring/Summer collection was widely acclaimed, and both physical stores and online channels performed well, driving sales in the quarter up 13% year-on-year to EUR 7.6 billion, or 15% in constant currency, with growth in all regions. The group stated that in the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, thanks to the creativity and execution of the team and the fully integrated business model, Inditex continued to maintain a very strong operating performance. At the end of the first quarter, inventory levels were up 5% from a year earlier as supply chains gradually normalized. Between May 1 and June 4, the Spring/Summer collection continued to be popular with customers, with sales up 16% at constant exchange rates compared to the same period last year. In May, Inditex started its business in Cambodia, opened a Zara flagship store in the Chip Mong Super Shopping Center in Phnom Penh, and launched online sales in the Cambodian market through the official website channel. As of April 30, the main data of the Inditex Group for the first quarter of fiscal year 2023 are as follows: Net sales reached 7.6 billion euros, a year-on-year increase of 13%, with a gross profit margin of 60.5%. EBITDA reached 2.2 billion euros, a year-on-year increase of 14%. Profit before tax was 1.5 billion euros, a year-on-year increase of 52%. After the release of the financial report, as of the close on June 7, Inditex Group’s share price rose by 5.7%. Since the beginning of this year, the group’s share price has risen by more than 35%, and its current market value is about 104.6 billion euros. Sustainability is a key part of Inditex's strategy. According to the sustainable development roadmap goals, Inditex is on track to achieve all the goals set from 2023 to 2025. Last year, Inditex participated in the US$30 million Series B financing of Circ, a textile waste recycling company. In April this year, Zara and Circ cooperated to launch the first capsule collection of women's clothing, which uses recycled polyester fibers separated from polyester-cotton textile waste. Meanwhile, Zara Pre-Owned, the resale platform Zara launched last autumn, will move out of the UK and into France, Germany, and Spain in the second half of this year. Through this platform, the group will continue to help customers extend the life cycle of Zara garments by donating, restoring, or reselling them. At present, Inditex operates in 213 markets around the world. Considering that it has a low share in a highly fragmented industry, the group plans to realize more growth opportunities by improving store sales efficiency. In 2023, the growth of Inditex's total store area will reach about 3%, and store optimization is in progress. In order to further optimize the customer experience in stores and online platforms, Inditex Group has formulated the following measures: Zara new store design: As one of the group's recent important projects, Zara's new store will be designed by Inditex's Architectural Studio, which will organically combine complex interiors with digital technology and apply it to the store's fitting rooms, self-checkout areas, pick-up points, storage rooms, etc. At present, the design of the new store has been reflected in Zara stores in many places around the world, such as the Champs Elysees in Paris, Stratford in London, Dadeland in Miami, and Phoenix Avenue in Mumbai. New security technology for stores: In July, Zara stores will launch new hardware around the world that adopts new security technology and will start trial operations in autumn and winter this year.

American brand management company Authentic Brands Group (hereinafter referred to as "ABG") has completed the acquisition of the intellectual property rights of Hunter Boots (hereinafter referred to as "Hunter"), a century-old British rain boot manufacturer. The specific terms of the transaction were not disclosed. There are rumors that the deal values Hunter at $125 million, which is close to the £100 million valuation cited by Sky News. At the same time, ABG announced The Batra Group and Marc Fisher Footwear as the core partners of the Hunter brand in key geographic markets. The Batra Group is a highly diversified global organization based in the UK with expertise in product development, design, sourcing, and distribution. Through this partnership, Batra will become Hunter's core licensor in the UK and continental Europe, responsible for the design and development of branded footwear, apparel, and accessories, as well as operating Hunter's branded retail stores, wholesale distribution, and e-commerce businesses in these geographic markets. According to the agreement signed by ABG and Marc Fisher, a leading all-inclusive fashion shoe company, the latter will become Hunter's core shoe partner in the United States, responsible for the brand's local shoe design, wholesale, and e-commerce operations. Jamie Salter, ABG Founder, Chairman, and CEO, said: "We are delighted to complete the acquisition of Hunter, a pioneer in original footwear and outdoor apparel at the intersection of fashion and the outdoors, and Hunter provides ABG's diverse lifestyle." The way brand portfolio introduces a new premium global brand. We are also excited to expand our relationship with two long-standing ABG partners, Batra Group and Marc Fisher, both of which have unrivaled expertise in product development across a range of categories. "We look forward to working with them and our larger network of partners as we continue to grow the Hunter brand." ABG Group also plans to further utilize the existing global network to accelerate the expansion of the Hunter brand in major global markets, including the United States and Canada, Latin America, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), and the Asia-Pacific region. Hunter was founded in 1856, formerly known as the North British Rubber, initially producing tires, conveyor belts, golf balls, and other rubber products. Since its development, the company has gradually transformed into a rubber boot manufacturer, headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland, with offices in London, New York, and Düsseldorf. As a traditional British brand, Hunter is the supplier of royal waterproof galoshes and one of ten companies currently holding two British royal warrants. Hunter has traditionally focused on Wellington boots but has since diversified to include a wider range of lifestyle products. In 2014, the brand launched a ready-to-wear collection, which attracted many loyal customers. In 2020, Hunter received an investment of 18.5 million pounds led by the Pall Mall Legacy Fund of Goldman Sachs (Goldman Sachs Group). Other participating parties included private equity investment company Searchlight Capital Partners and British brand management company Pentland Group. Following the investment, Pall Mall Legacy became Hunter's majority shareholder. Under the impact of the epidemic, for example, due to the cancellation of large-scale offline public events such as the Glastonbury Music Festival, sales of the Hunter brand continued to decline. In the fourth quarter of 2021, the brand's sales in the United States fell sharply. It also closed its stores, including its flagship store on Regent Street in London, and only has offline stores in Borough Market and Woodbury, New York's largest outlet, almost completely withdrawing from physical retail. However, after the epidemic, Hunter's sales rebounded, especially with the recovery of the Chinese market. China market revenue accounts for a large part of the brand's recent growth. Hunter's sales in China are doubling every year, with sales elsewhere in Asia showing strong growth, sources said. In January of this year, the British "Sky News" quoted sources from insiders as saying that Hunter was looking for new investors and was working with AlixPartners, a New York consulting agency, to try to reach a deal. Reports in early February suggested that Hunter was seeking around £8 million in working capital to boost the business while advancing the sale process. The following March, existing shareholders provided Hunter with a £5 million capital injection, and lenders provided £2 million in funding. In addition to ABG, two other American brand management companies, WHP Global and Marquee Brands, also participated in the bid for Hunter. Chinese e-commerce solutions provider Baozun E-Commerce, which owns Gap’s China operations, is said to have expressed interest in acquiring the company.

Dr. Martens Brand Overview In 1945, during World War II, German doctor Klaus Maertens, now called Dr. Martens injured his leg while skiing in the Alps, and the standard military boots made his injured foot very uncomfortable and painful when walking. In order to alleviate the pain, he modified the military boots with soft leather and air cushions during his recuperation. It was because of this accidental improvement that the design of Dr. Martens boots was born. After the war, Martens met Dr. Funck, a good friend from college in Munich. Funck admired Martens's new design of military boots very much, so the two went to Schieshaupt, Germany, to start a business together. They developed air-cushioned soles designed with aircraft tires, created the world's first pair of leather shoes equipped with air cushions, and applied for a patent. This is the world's first pair of Martens boots, which were originally invented by doctors for patients to recover their injured parts. Soon, the design of Martens boots was discovered by The Griggs Company, an old England shoemaking family. They were very interested in the creativity of Martens Boots, and they hit it off with Martens. Finally, in 1960, the Dr. Martens brand was founded in the UK. It was the first A classic 8-hole 1460 was born, and the obvious yellow thread on the edge of the sole has also become the classic symbol of Martens boots. Dr. Martens is a famous shoe brand in the UK. In the 1970s and 1980s, Dr. Martens became the favorite of streetwear, punks, skinheads, and the New Wave after young people put on their boots because they were easy to wear and became workers' boots. The Dr. Martens brand is rated as the most comfortable boots in the world by the modern fashion circle and has become a must-have for many boot lovers! Dr. Martens Boots Selection Tips 1. Dr. Martens boots type Martens boots are divided into three types: short boots, mid-tube boots, and long boots. Generally, mid-tube Martens boots are more common. There are many colors and patterns, and black is the most traditional. In addition, bright red and yellow are also very popular, and there are even popular elements such as grids, patterns, and rivets. England soles are thicker and more durable. 2. The number and selection of Dr. Martens boot holes The hole means the number of pairs of eyelets on the upper of the shoelace, and the meaning of 3 holes means that there are three pairs of eyelets on the shoelace. The more holes Dr. Martens boots have, the higher the boot shaft and the higher the requirements for the shape of the legs. Regarding the number of holes, there are 3 holes, 6 holes, 8 holes, 10 holes, 14 holes, and 20 holes. 3 holes: In fact, they are not boots; they are small leather shoes, and suitable for petite girls. 6 holes: They are the most error-free model. Girls under 5'2'' can buy it. The upper is short, and the height and leg length are not selected at all. 8 holes: They are suitable for girls over 5'3'', the boot wraps the ankles and extends upwards naturally, making the legs slender. More than 10 holes: Since the shaft of the boot is relatively high, other people’s eyes will automatically focus on your calf. Tall people can choose it by themselves; if a small person insists on trying, it is recommended to choose a thick sole to support your height. 3. Dr. Martens boots material: Patent Lamper: The smooth surface is very cool, strong, and waterproof, but it wears your feet. It’s okay for holes below 6, but the patent leather with a large area is exaggerated for ordinary people, and it’s not very versatile. Smooth: It is full of punk feeling, stylish, and easy to take care of. It is still a little bit abrasive, but after a period of wearing and running in, it will become soft and fit your foot shape. It is recommended. Nappa: Matte soft leather; the comfort of the leather is just right; it is more stylish than Pascal; and it will become more textured as you wear it. It is recommended. Pascal: It is also soft leather, the thickest leather, with natural texture, perfect comfort, no hemming on the boot shaft, and soft at the ankle. But because the cortex is too soft, it may become out of shape. Greasy: This is the least common type of leather. There was no such material in 1460 of leather. Greasy is the least glossy PU-coated leather, which is matte. The advantage is that it is the least wrinkle-resistant cortex, and it is neither soft nor hard; the hardness is in between. It's just rarely used in classic models and is suitable for low-key and calm people. Crazy Horse: Crazy Horse is a general term for a domestic processing method. The raw material of the leather embryo used can be top-layer cowhide, second-layer cowhide, or artificial leather, which has nothing to do with horses. In full-grain matte leather, there is a very fine anti-fluff layer on the surface of the leather. When you rub the surface of the leather with your fingers, you can see that the plush has a positive and negative direction. It has weight but is not very hard; some of it is distressed and worn. 4. Dr. Martens's origin Dr. Martens boots before 2004 were all produced locally in the UK. After 2004, Dr. Martens began to place more production in China and Thailand for OEM, and later Vietnam also had an OEM. At present, China, Thailand, and Vietnam produce the most Dr. Martens boots. There is a small amount of production in the UK, but the price of England products is more than twice as expensive. The current England-made Dr. Martens horse boots are divided into Made in England (M.I.E. Collection, a common classic series made in the UK) and Vintage (a re-enactment of early Martens shoes). The shoe shape is thinner and longer than ordinary models, and the leather is thicker than ordinary models. The leather of the England version is much better than that of other countries, with a thickness of about 3 mm, which is more durable, and the toe cap is also sharper. In addition, each pair of shoes in the England series comes with a Union Jack tag and a booklet telling the history of Martens. Vintage England handmade, the best leather, and more retro England style! However, it is limited to the same external size as the shoes, so fairies who buy England-made Dr. Martens boots should buy a larger size appropriately. 5. Soles Dr. Martens's boots have several kinds of soles. The most common ones are DMC for men, DML for women, and DMS for unisex. The width of different soles is slightly different. The widest for men is the narrowest for women, and the vintage is for women. DMC wide men's sole: the middle part of the sole is a square grid, the toe is slightly warped and wider, the sole is translucent or fully transparent yellow, the forefoot shock pad is milky white, mostly used for men's soles. DML narrow women's sole: the middle part of the sole is a square grid, which is characterized by light weight; the toe is very warped; the sole is translucent or fully transparent; the forefoot shock pad is white; used for Martens women's soles. DMS narrow unisex sole: diagonal grid in the middle of the sole; the toe is not warped; the sole is translucent turquoise; black is also available. The forefoot shock pad is basically the same color as the midsole, which is a universal sole for men and women. In general, there is no movable insole and only a heel patch, which is also called a half pad. Same size, width, and length: DMC> DMS> DML 6. Size selection Generally speaking, when you choose shoes, you are not sure about the size. We always say to wear bigger or smaller ones, but Martens is different. Dr. Martens can neither wear big nor small, because no matter whether it is too big or too small, it will wear your feet. How to choose the size of Dr. Martens boots: let me tell you a little trick. Measure the length of your feet first, and add 4–8 mm to the inner length of your shoes. This number in mm is the amount of space your feet need to move in the shoes. Also worth noting: inches measure the length of the insole, not the length of a foot that fits that size. When you put on your boots, you usually wear socks. Measure the distance from heel to toe on your heel and match this length with the length of the insole. For example, for a tighter fit, a 9.5" foot might technically fit a US WOM 6, and for a wider fit, a US WOM 7 with more wiggle room might be more comfortable. 7. How do I maintain Dr. Martens boots? Before wearing Don't rush to wear it; first apply a layer of shoe polish to it, and then after drying, gently wipe the leather surface of Martens boots with a soft cloth until the leather is shiny, and then spray a layer of waterproof mist to prevent water damage. And not easy to get stains on. If there are suede Martens boots that are easy to get dusty, it is best to apply a layer of anti-slip agent on the upper before wearing and then lightly brush it several times with a soft brush. Maintenance method of Martens boots in wearing It is recommended not to wear the same pair of Martens boots for more than three consecutive days. The leather material used to make Martens boots also needs to be "rested" in time. When not wearing Martens boots, shoe lasts or crumpled newspapers can be stuffed into Martens boots. In the boots, they can prevent Martens boots from being deformed due to various factors. When wearing Martens boots, you must avoid bumps. If the leather surface of Martens boots is worn, it will definitely affect the wearing effect. Do not wear Martens boots to go out in rainy and snowy days because the fine particles mixed in the rain and snow will cause varying degrees of damage to the leather of Martens boots. If you are accidentally soaked in water, stuff newspapers into the shoes to absorb the water, and put the boots in a well-ventilated place to wait for them to dry naturally. Never use a hair dryer or place your shoes next to a heater, as this will warp and crack the leather. When cleaning sheepskin and cowhide Martens boots, do not apply the cleaning oil directly to the surface of the boots. You should wipe the cleaning oil on a clean and soft cloth so as to avoid leaving any spots on the leather surface! Maintenance method for collection After cleaning the stains on the surface of Martens boots before storage, apply a layer of shoe polish. After the shoe polish gradually penetrates into the leather, wipe the leather surface with a soft cloth until the leather becomes bright! Finally, put it in a ventilated and dry place. After 1-2 days, put it in a shoe box for collection. It should be taken out occasionally for ventilation to avoid mildew. Dr. Martens boots should be placed separately. Putting two shoes of different materials and sizes together will definitely cause the shoes to squeeze each other and deform, affecting the effect of wearing them again.

Tom Ford, a luxury brand recently acquired by Estée Lauder Companies, an American high-end beauty giant, announced the departure of Chief Marketing Officer Charlotte Blechman, effective May 31. Charlotte Blechman is designer Tom Ford's long-term partner, and the two sides have worked closely since 1995, when Tom Ford was still working at luxury brand Gucci. In 2017, Charlotte Blechman officially joined Tom Ford International, where she is responsible for supervising multiple departments, including marketing, brand image, digital, etc., and for the global promotion and visual display of the brand, including beauty, glasses, watches, and other authorized businesses, CRM, events, marketing, communications, and events. She also oversees all of the brand's philanthropic efforts, including the creation of the Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize, brand partnerships, and helping with Tom Ford's presidency of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Charlotte Blechman first joined Gucci in 1995 and was promoted to Director of Global Celebrity Relations in 1998. She joined Yves Saint Laurent in 2001 as Vice President of Public Relations under Tom Ford. From 2004 to 2010, she joined Gucci again. From 2011 to 2017, she also worked at the luxury department store Barney's New York. The Tom Ford brand will announce Charlotte Blechman's successor at a later date. Charlotte Blechman said that she will spend the summer with her family first and is open to the longer-term future.

On May 25th, the French luxury goods giant Kering held the inauguration ceremony of its new headquarters in Milan, Italy. François-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of Kering Group, said at the opening ceremony: "Kering Group entered the Italian market 20 years ago, and its Pomellato, Gucci, etc. represent the highest level of Italian handmade products. At the same time, we have also opened industrial centers for non-Italian brands such as Saint Laurent and Balenciaga, because Italy is the only country that provides us with professional knowledge and technology, so we will continue to invest here." François-Henri Pinault also mentioned that the leaders of the major brands under the Kering Group are all from Italy, such as Marco Bizzarri, chairman and CEO of Gucci, Sabina Belli, CEO of Pomellato, Francesca Bellettini, CEO of Saint Laurent, etc. Carlo Capasa, President of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), Matteo Lunelli, President of Altagamma, and Beppe Sala, Mayor of Milan, all attended the opening ceremony. The new Italian headquarters of the Kering Group are located in Milan, in the more than 300-year-old Pertusati Gropallo building in the Quadrilatero della moda, a district of the most important fashion brands. The building was designed by the 18th-century architect Simone Cantoni and is considered a fine example of the neoclassical style. Jean-François Palus, Managing Director of the Kering Group, commented: "We are very pleased to be able to relocate our Italian headquarters to this magnificent location in the heart of Milan's luxury and business district." The interior space of the Pertusati Gropallo building was completely renovated in the style of Italian design, using soft colors, natural light, and environmentally friendly building materials to create a green and comfortable office environment. At the same time, the new headquarters has been designed for maximum mobility and versatility: the building has six floors; the first five floors are used as office areas, equipped with canteens and cafes; and the top floor houses a panoramic meeting room and a panoramic terrace of over 1,500 square meters overlooking Milan Cathedral. The building includes more than 300 workstations, as well as telephone booths, meeting rooms, and interactive spaces for personal use. According to Kering's official website, the interior design will soon receive LEED Platinum certification and Well Gold certification. LEED Platinum (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is issued by the US Green Building Council, marking that the building has reached the highest standards in terms of energy conservation, environmental protection, and sustainability. WELL Gold certification is issued by the International WELL Building Institute, focusing on the impact of buildings on people's health and well-being. The gold level indicates that the building has reached a high standard in this regard. During the past 20 years, Kering Group has made many investments in Italy, such as: In 2016, the Gucci Hub, with an area of 35,000 square meters, was opened in the Mecenate district of Milan as the headquarters of the group and a venue for fashion shows. In 2021, a logistics center with a central area of more than 162,000 square meters was built in Trecate, Novara, Italy. The new headquarters completed in Milan this time is the latest investment project implemented by the group. Jean-François Palus commented: "This new headquarters represents an important milestone for Kering in Italy, and I believe it will further strengthen the sense of belonging of the group's more than 13,000 Italian employees." The mayor of Milan, Beppe Sala, gave Kering a warm welcome at the opening ceremony: "I am delighted that these people who have faith in our city are here. It is also a university city, and its international characteristics connect these fields together. If we can continue to carry forward the historical tradition of Milan, we will create a unique and diverse city."

On May 22, the British luxury fashion brand LK Bennett announced its 2022 annual results as of January this year: net sales increased by 30% to £49 million, and gross profit increased by 40% to £30 million, both great progress. At the same time, profitability also improved significantly: margins increased by 420 basis points to 61.9%, and EBITDA tripled to £4 million. The LK Bennett brand pointed out that the gratifying performance growth has benefited to a certain extent from the relaxation of the epidemic, and the return of various activities, including weddings, has promoted the growth in demand for brand dresses. According to data, the brand's profit from the activewear category alone has reached £1 million. It is worth mentioning that after a period of friendly cooperation with Royal Ascot, the LK Bennett brand has deepened its cooperative relationship and has now become its official sponsor. LK Bennett currently has more than 100 outlets around the world, including online and offline flagship stores, department store counters, etc. The most recent store opened last week in Cheltenham, a city in southwestern England. LK Bennett is committed to strengthening its brand's basic business capabilities by continuously upgrading existing stores, continuing to expand global stores, and planning to return to the US market in a wholesale business model this fall. Darren Topp, CEO of LK Bennett, expressed his delight at the brand's strong performance in a statement: "This has been our most successful year in over a decade, and we would like to thank our hardworking colleagues, customers, and suppliers for their continued support." About LK Bennett LK Bennett was founded by Linda K. Bennett in London in 1990. Since then, it has developed into a famous fashion brand in the UK, focusing on high-end women's shoes, bags, clothing, and accessories. LK Bennett was famous for its women's shoes, favored by the royal family and fashionable women at the beginning of its establishment, and it quickly became the ideal paradise for finding graceful and beautiful shoes. The company also released a womenswear line in 1998. Ten years later, Robert Bensoussan, one of the founders of Sirius Equity, and Phoenix Equity Partners jointly invested in the brand and became the controlling shareholders to support the company's continued development. LK Bennett thus took the first step in its expansion strategy. This move has promoted the company's business expansion on a global scale, and LK Bennett's beautiful fashion can now be bought in major shopping malls in more than 150 places in the UK, the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. Since the main stores were opened in the most fashionable communities in London, such as Mayfair, Knightsbridge, and Chelsea, they have been loved by many fashionable people. Shoes and boots have been featured in the world's most renowned and stylish magazines, including Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair, Tatler, Grazia, Elle, and InStyle. They are regularly featured and loved by fashion editors, style pioneers, and fashion-forward bloggers. Kate Middleton has worn the LK Bennett brand several times during her public appearances.

The 2023 spring exhibition "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty" at the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is officially open to the public, and the Met Gala, a fashion event with the same theme, has also been held on May 1. The exhibition commemorates the late German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld (1933–2019), who led the creative work of Chanel, Fendi, Chloé, and other luxury brands, and will continue until July 16. Previously, from May 1st to May 4th, the exhibition was previewed and only open to members. The exhibition was designed by world-renowned architect Tadao Ando, who first met Karl Lagerfeld in 1996. Andrew Bolton organizes, Mellissa Huber is an assistant curator, and Amanda Harlech is a creative consultant for the exhibition. The exhibition focuses on Lagerfeld's design language, which recurs throughout his last collections from the 1950s to 2019. In the museum's 899 gallery, about 150 works by Lagerfeld from this time period are exhibited, most of which are accompanied by the designer's design sketches, which show his complex creative process and his cooperation with the tailor. The exhibition is launched with the theme "A Line of Beauty", rather than the traditional retrospective format. The exhibition opens with an introduction to Lagerfeld's early career, including winning the International Woolmark Prize in 1954 and his time as a design assistant at Balmain and art director at Patou, during which time he continued to perfect his unique sketching style. Design drafts are Lagerfeld's main way of expressing creativity and communication, and tailors are regarded as Lagerfeld's "architects", responsible for transforming his two-dimensional drawings into three-dimensional garments. The exhibition opened up another space to present a series of interview videos about the cooperation between the two parties, including Nicole Lefort, former textile artist at Chloé; Anita Briey, former chief tailor of the Karl Lagerfeld brand; Stefania D'Alfonso, head of the Fendi fur studio; etc. The video was shot by French filmmaker Loïc Prigent, who followed and documented Lagerfeld's production series from 1997 to 2019, including the shows of Chanel, Chloé, Fendi, and Lagerfeld. The exhibition serves as a way to demonstrate the importance of design drafts to Lagerfeld's creative practice. Andrew Bolton said in a statement: "The exhibition explores Lagerfeld's complex working methods and traces his fashion evolution through the transformation from two-dimensional design drafts to three-dimensional clothing pieces. He recurred in fashion, linked his designs at Chanel, Chloé, Fendi, Patou, and his namesake label Karl Lagerfeld to create a diverse and rich collection unparalleled in the history of fashion." The rest of the exhibition unfolds with "lines" as clues. The title of the exhibition "A Line of Beauty" is inspired by the 18th century artist and writer William Hogarth's book "The Analysis of Beauty", in which the author described his understanding of the beauty of lines. That is, curves represent movement and vitality, and straight lines represents stillness and rest. This coincides with Lagerfeld's understanding of straight and curved lines, and he also draws inspiration from these two lines. In Lagerfeld's design, straight lines and curves represent opposing and complementary forces. Straight lines represent the tendencies of modernism, classicism, and minimalism in his designs, while curves represent his historicism, romanticism. Beneath the straight lines and curves, the curator divided the design into nine sub-lines to present the duality in Lagerfeld's design: softness and masculinity; romance and cruelty; rococo style and classicism; history and the future; decorative style and structure; artistic, classic and rebellious; handmade and mechanical; floral and geometric, and figurative and abstract style. In the "explosions" section, clothing works that fuse these binary and opposing aesthetics are presented. These dual aesthetics reveal the complexity of Lagerfeld's designs as well as the breadth of his influences, including art, film, music, design, fashion, literature, and philosophy. The exhibition ends with Lagerfeld's "satire", which consists of two parts: one is the use of irony, playfulness, and unconstrained embroidery, which shows Lagerfeld's sharp intelligence, and the other is Lagerfeld's famous black and white "uniform", represented by different forms. The work reveals the late designer's self-image. In the final room is an 81-iPhone video device by filmmaker Baillee Walsh that plays Prigent’s never-before-seen images of Lagerfeld, paying homage to the designer’s key ways of creating and communicating. The exhibition is supported by Chanel and Fendi, with additional funding from Condé Nast, the parent company of Karl Lagerfeld's eponymous label, and magazines such as Vogue and GQ. Fendi also selected a series of Lagerfeld's design works from the brand collection, including several original sketches, and placed them in the window display of Fendi's 57th Street boutique in New York, paying tribute to Lagerfeld's design views and his unique working methods. Max Hollein, Director of the Museum Marina Kellen French, said: "Karl Lagerfeld, known for his outstanding design, boundless creativity, and legendary personality, is one of the most fascinating, prolific, and recognizable forces in fashion and culture. This time the immersive exhibition dismantles his artistic practice, inviting the public to experience the most important aspects of Lagerfeld's boundless imagination and passion for creativity."

The designer brand Nanushka announced that it has received a 10 million euros investment from the Swiss investment company SIG-i Capital AG for the brand's new expansion. SIG-i Capital AG, founded by former executives of the Credit Suisse banking group, is a specialist provider of alternative credit for European SMEs. It offers an alternative to traditional financial instruments, such as Nanushka's choice of mezzanine financing, which combines features of both loan and equity financing. In a press release issued by the brand, it reads, "On May 4, Nanushka signed a financing agreement with SIG-i Capital AG through the SIG-i EURO MEZZ fund. The transaction includes funds in the form of mezzanine financing worth 10 million euros, and Nanushka has an implied valuation of approximately EUR 100 million." The funds will be used to "refinance the brand's existing debt and provide additional liquidity to accelerate the company's next phase of growth, including expansion in Asia and the US." Peter Baldaszti, CEO of Nanushka's parent company, Vanguards Group, said, "This is an important milestone for Nanushka and will effectively address our recent supply chain challenges." Founded in 2006 by Hungarian designer Sandra Sandor, Nanushka has amassed a lot of popularity for its unique design and sustainable philosophy that combines Bauhaus and bohemian spirit. At first, Nanushka operated only with funds from the founder's family and friends. In 2016, Nanushka's sales reached $1.34 million. In same year, Sandra Sandor's husband, Peter Baldaszti, now the brand's CEO, brought in outside investment with the help of Agoston Gubicza of GB & Partners, Hungary's largest independent private equity and venture capital firm, with funding from the Hungarian government-backed Export-Import Bank. In 2020, Peter Baldaszti and Agoston Gubicza jointly established the emerging fashion group Vanguards. In addition to the flagship brand Nanushka, it also absorbed two other brands, Aeron from Budapest and Sunnei from Milan. At present, 70% of Nanushka's sales revenue comes from wholesale channels. It has more than 140 sales outlets around the world. It cooperates with high-end department stores such as offline Le Bon Marché and La Rinascente and through online Farfetch, MyTheresa, Net-a-Porter, and other luxury goods platforms. In addition, the brand is also sold through the official website and offline stores in Budapest, New York, London, Shanghai, and Chengdu. The brand plans to adjust the proportion of direct sales and wholesale to 50% each in the next 3 to 4 years.